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Every year, WIRED favorite retailer REI hosts its biggest sale of the year right before Memorial Day, just in time to get you equipped for all your summer adventures. This year's sale lasts through May 31 and is unusually wide-ranging, with many gear picks we've tested and loved.
Don't see anything you like? Other outdoor retailers, like Backcountry and Moosejaw, are also holding summer sales. You can also check out our buying guides to the Best Portable Grills, Best Camping Gear, Best Running Gear for Hot Weather, and more.
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Several years ago, I wrote about the fire pit that made me like camping again. At that time, my children were much younger than they are now, and a packable, simple, and sturdy fire pit that didn't require fiddling and had an easy-to-use and easy-to-clean grill cover made camping a much more manageable proposition.
Camping has finally gotten a little easier, but I still really love this fire pit. With wildfire season imminent, it also makes sense to take precautions to make your outdoor fires safer. Snow Peak's grill folds down for easy storage in your car trunk. You can also adjust the grill height to three different levels for different cooking temperatures. In the over 20 years since Snow Peak CEO Tohru Yamai designed it, he's only ever gotten two customer complaints. The updated version of BioLite's FirePit is also on sale as well.
Think of a Rumpl blanket as if your sleeping bag had a baby with the coziest lap blanket that your grandma knitted for you. They're made from DWR-treated ripstop polyester, so they're sturdy, durable, and resist getting soaked or stained. But they're also soft and warm enough to fall asleep under on the couch, and they come in a wide variety of colors and patterns. I throw my Rumpl blanket in my trunk when we're driving through snow; compress it down into my backpack to take on picnics or to the beach with my kids; then wash it and fall asleep on the couch underneath it while rewatching Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. They were impossible to find in stock last year, so grab one while you can.
- Cotopaxi Tarak Del Dia Backpack for $70 ($30 off): I haven't tried this specific backpack, but in general Cotopaxi's bags are irresistibly bright, incredibly light, no-frills, and made from repurposed fabric stock that would otherwise go into a landfill. This 20-liter frameless pack is designed for climbing and skiing, but it weighs only 1 pound and would work well for day hikes.
- Osprey Fairview Trek 70 Backpack for $172 ($58 off): I own this backpack, and it's a pretty useful combination between a framed hiking backpack and an open, zip-front duffel. Osprey also makes a men's version for $120 ($40 off).
- Hydro Flask Kids Bottle for $22 ($8 off): All of Hydro Flask's bottles, drinkware, and accessories are 25 percent off. This water bottle is a little difficult to clean, but it's the only kid's water bottle that hasn't leaked all over at least one of my bags.
- Grayl Geopress Water Filtering Bottle for $65 ($25 off): If you're backpacking by yourself, you might not need an additional, bulky water filter. Grayl's simple bottle works as both a filter and a drinking vessel. Just fill it up and press the filter down through your water like a stiff french press; you can drink giardia-free water anywhere, any time.
- Garmin InReach Mini Satellite Communicator for $300 ($50 off): This tiny, lightweight device is still at the top of our list of the Best Satellite Communicators. It utilizes the Iridium satellite network, which has incredibly fast response times and coverage for emergencies.
- BioLite Headlamp 330 for $45 ($15 off): After testing many, many headlamps over the years, this light, slim version that sits flush on your forehead is still my favorite. The battery does wear down after several years—the promised 40 hours of run time is now more like 20. The controls also take some getting used to.
- Goal Zero Yeti Lithium 200X for $240 ($60 off): This doesn't make the list of product reviewer Scott Gilbertson's favorite portable chargers; lithium-ion NMC is much less effective than lithium polymer batteries, and it has a limited charge cycle rating of 500 charges (not great!). But for a small power station that's under $500, it works pretty well. I've owned this charger for several years and it's still going strong.
- Altra Lone Peak 5 Trail Running Shoes for $97 ($32 off): We didn't get these in time to add them to our roundup of the Best Trail Running Shoes, but these are my favorite trail runners. I like the wide toe box, zero-mm heel-to-toe drop, and heavy-duty lugs. They also come in a women's version.
- Kryptonite New-U New York Standard Bike Lock for $90 ($30 off): This reasonably priced and reasonably light U-lock is our pick for the Best Bike Lock. It locks in both sides of the tube, which means a thief has to saw through both ends to steal your bike.
- Nathan VaporSwiftra Hydration Vest for $94 ($31 off): I included this tiny running vest in our list of the Best Running Gear. It can hold 4 liters, which is a reasonable amount of water for a longer run, yet it's still tiny enough that I don't feel like an idiot using it for holding my phone and light rain jacket on shorter days.
- Garmin Fenix 6S Pro for $550 ($100 off): All of the Garmin watches in the Fenix 6 series are $100 off. That's a great discount on what is hands down the best backcountry watch.
- REI Co-op Rainier Rain Jacket for $63 ($27 off): For under $100, you really can't beat REI's outdoor apparel for hitting a sweet spot between functionality and affordability. I included the Rainier Rain Jacket in both our list of the Best Rain Jackets and our favorite Gifts for Recent College Grads.
- Arc'teryxz Zeta SL Rain Jacket for $224 ($75 off): Admittedly, REI's yearly sales are one of the best chances to get our top (and expensive) rain jacket picks. This is the compact, lightweight version of our favorite rain jacket for hiking.
- REI Co-op Reversible Down Jacket (Toddler) for $35 ($15 off): As an outdoorsy mom, it's hard to find outdoor gear that will protect my children but won't be painful to part with when they outgrow it six months later. Every year, I buy my children their jackets on sale at REI. This puffy down is made from recycled and Bluesign-approved materials.
- Xero Shoes Z-Trail EV Sandals for $60 ($20 off): Product reviewer Scott Gilbertson loves these minimalist sandals so much that it prompted a nostalgic rave about the beauty of going barefoot. Check out the rest of his Best Barefoot Shoes guide for more picks.
- Wrightsock Eco Lt Hike Crew Socks for $13 ($5 off): Product reviewer Matt Jancer says these socks are the best at moisture management for long days on the trail.
- Prana Kimble Yoga Leggings for $66 ($23 off): At this very moment, I am wearing a pair of Prana leggings that have lasted for 14 years and through two pregnancies. Prana's yoga leggings last, and all of them are currently 30 percent off.
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